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Psychiatric Hospital

Patients in the psychiatric unit at Wilson Hospital, Johnson City, N.Y., are forbidden to watch “The PTL Club” television program because of what hospital officials describe as a “disturbing effect” on some patients. Dr. Q. D. Schubmehl, chairman of the psychiatric department, told a reporter for the Binghamton (N. Y.) Press that “many of our patients do have serious problems, and we found that (the PTL show) was exaggerating pre-existing symptoms.” According to Dr. Schubmehl, the program promotes the idea that “if you had faith, you wouldnt be sick.” He said that “the suggested interpretation by patients is one of anti-physician and anti-medical. Maybe, its not anti-physician or anti-medical, but it at least puts things in a way that you can get better through faith alone.”